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Multiple Choice
How do pollen grains help scientists in the study of biology?
A
By providing evidence for plant evolution and past environmental conditions
B
By serving as the main source of energy for animal cells
C
By directly producing oxygen through photosynthesis
D
By acting as enzymes that speed up cellular reactions
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of pollen grains in biology: Pollen grains are the male gametophytes of seed plants, containing the cells necessary for fertilization. They are not directly involved in energy production, oxygen generation, or enzymatic reactions.
Recognize that pollen grains are highly resistant to decay due to their tough outer layer (exine), which allows them to be preserved in sediment layers for thousands or even millions of years.
Learn how scientists use fossilized pollen grains to study plant evolution: By analyzing the structure and types of pollen grains in different geological layers, researchers can trace the evolutionary history of plants and identify extinct species.
Understand how pollen grains provide evidence of past environmental conditions: The types of plants present in an area (as indicated by their pollen) can reveal information about the climate, vegetation, and ecological conditions of that time period.
Eliminate incorrect options: Pollen grains do not serve as a main energy source for animal cells, do not directly produce oxygen, and do not act as enzymes. Their primary scientific value lies in their use as evidence for plant evolution and environmental studies.